Risk Taking and Risk Perception by Female Rice Growers in Rasht Couney

Production process in agricnltural sector is highiy dependent on natural climatic conditions; its exposure to diseases and pests are factors which distinguishes agriculture from other economic activities. These factors make agriculture a risky activity. In addition, the majority of farmers active in ltivation of strategic and main foods such as whear, rice and barley are llholders. They are highly vulnerable to fluctuation of local and national markets and the pressures of international competition. In fact, to reach deveIoprnenr goals as set for agricnlturai sector, its human-resource capacity should be optimally utilized, of which women constitute a main part. Rural omen, especially those heading their families, face more risks compared to ir CO^unte'1"'rts, and arc economicaliy fragile. Women of the Northern Iran mprise a substantial part of the agricultural labor force, thus attention to be paid to their working and living conditions.
 
The main objective of the present research is to study factors affecting the ,adoption of risk by female rice grOWers. It was condncted in Rasht County in 2005 The stratified random sampling technique was applied and 182 female rice- growers were selected out of five districts of the county, and were . 'ed. The result showed that the majority of female rice growers were tra1. The study also revealed that there was significant negative relaationship among age, experience (of rice growing), the family size, and The level of adoption of risk. There was significant positive relationship . - _ .. between literacy level, the lands allotted to rice growing, the size of landholding, rice income, and the level of risk taking. The resnlt of comoarative studies showed that rice growers with different style of landhoiding had significant differences in terms of risk adoption.